Al-Qaeda's branch in North Africa claimed responsibility for Wednesday's deadly bomb attacks in Algiers, publishing photographs of the three alleged suicide bombers in an Internet statement.
The statement on an Islamist website often used by the Al-Qaeda network of Osama bin Laden said three militants carried out the car bombings which it said killed at least 53 people.
Algerian officials said at least 23 people died and more than 160 were wounded in the attacks.
The statement, whose authenticity could not be verified, said that Mouadh ben Jabel detonated 700 kilos (1,500 pounds) of explosives outside the prime minister's office "killing 45 and wounding an unknown number, as well as partially destroying the building."
Fellow suicide bomber Zoubeir Abou Sajida attacked Interpol's offices with a similar sized charge in the eastern suburb of Bab Ezzouar "destroying the building and killing at least eight apostates," it said.
A third bomber, Abou Dajjana, blew up 500 kilos of explosives on the road to Algiers airport, also in Bab Ezzouar, in an attack targeting "police special forces headquarters ... Destroying the building, killing and wounding many apostates."
The pictures accompanying the statement showed three men wearing traditional Tuareg headscarves, each flanked by two assault rifles. Only one of the men had his face uncovered.
{{/usCountry}}The pictures accompanying the statement showed three men wearing traditional Tuareg headscarves, each flanked by two assault rifles. Only one of the men had his face uncovered.
{{/usCountry}}The statement from the "Al-Qaeda Movement in Islamic Countries of the Maghreb" promised more attacks.